Nasal dilator combined with stimulator

ABSTRACT

Internal or external nasal dilator combined with stimulator to enhance nasal dilation for improved breathing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of devices for the treatment of respiratory conditions in which nasal dilation is performed. Furthermore, electrical stimulation is provided.

Normal respiration requires that air passages remain open. Blockage of the nasal passages, for example from a deviated septum, or allergic swelling of tissues, may result in reduction in oxygen delivery to the brain and/or heart and may be part of the syndrome of snoring and/or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Nasal obstruction may lead to sustained mouth breathing and possible lung irritation.

Anatomically, the vestibule, which is immediately above the entrance to the nostril, tapers inwardly to a narrowed neck-like region called the ostium internum, above which the nasal passages widen out again. Nasal obstructions commonly occur at the ostium, wherein the lateral wall (i.e., the outer wall tissue of the nasal passage) draws in during the process of inhalation acting as a “check valve” blocking air flow.

As an alternative to surgery, internal and external nasal dilators for aiding breathing through the nose have been devised. These devices are well known in the prior art; e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 576,441 to Farmer issued in 1897 is an early internal nasal expander and U.S. Pat. No. 1,043,924 to Gottlieb issued in 1912 is an early external nasal dilator. Whereas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,977 issued in 1983 to Rezakhany, and U.S. Pat. No 5,533,499 issued in 1994 to Johnson are more modern concepts of nasal dilators.

A nasal dilator may contact the nasal septum, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,833 to Miligan issued in 1998. Nasal dilators have been combined with medication, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,800 to Cronk issued in 1997 and with heat, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,486 to Mitra issued in 1998. Nasal dilators have been utilized in eyeglasses as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,746 to Karell in 1998 and in surgical masks as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,456 to Ruben in 2002.

The instant invention combines nasal dilators with electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation without surgically implanting of an electrode is called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), also called surface electrical stimulation or electro-acupuncture. A simple TENS unit is a battery operated electro-stimulator operationally connected to electrodes in contact with a body surface. An example of a TENS unit is U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,595 issued in 1978 to Miller having capability to control pulse amplitude, rate, and width. An example of a micro-miniature surface stimulator is U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,622 issued in 2005 to Gilbert is utilized for electro-acupuncture.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the meridians are the channels through which Chi (the body's vital Life force) flows. Traditionally, points in the human body (acupuncture points) on meridians were reached by piercing the body with needles. By stimulating with needles or electro-acupuncture or TENS, one can effect changes in the local area, as well as distal parts of the body and its organs. Stimulating the skin or mucous membranes using electrical energy, causes nervous impulses which eventually travel to the brain. TENS for pain control has been utilized in medicine for years. Stimulating certain nerves, e.g. the vagus, may treat emotional conditions such as depression. Stimulation of airway muscles and nerves has been used for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Nerve stimulation has been utilized to open airways, and may reduce nasal congestion with trigeminal nerve stimulation. Electro-acupuncture has been utilized locally at acupuncture points Li20 and Gv26 to help reduce nasal congestion. Nasal dilators may also contact the nasal septum region wherein at least one electrode may be utilized for stimulation of this region.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is the combination of a nasal dilator with a stimulator having electrodes for contacting tissues to enhance nasal dilation for improved breathing.

The instant invention is an internal nasal dilator apparatus additionally comprising a stimulator having electrodes for contacting tissues within the nose to enhance nasal dilation.

The instant invention is an external nasal dilator apparatus additionally comprising a stimulator having electrodes for contacting tissues of the nose to enhance nasal dilation.

The instant invention is a method having an internal nasal dilator additionally comprising a stimulator having electrodes for contacting tissues within the nose to enhance nasal dilation.

The instant invention is a method having an external nasal dilator additionally comprising a stimulator having electrodes for contacting tissues of the nose to enhance nasal dilation.

The instant invention is the combination of a nasal dilator with a stimulator having electrodes for contacting tissues to enhance nasal dilation for improved breathing and may utilize acupuncture points for treatment.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A are pictorial drawings of the apparatus, showing an external nasal dilator combined with a stimulator.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 2A are pictorial drawings of the apparatus, showing an internal nasal dilator combined with a stimulator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Looking to FIG. 1, the instant invention (10) generally consisting of a combination of nasal dilator with stimulator, in which an external nasal dilator (12) is generally flat but on application to the nose, becomes curved as is pictured in FIG. 1A to provide outward pulling pressure to the nasal wall. The instant invention (10) comprises an external nasal dilator (12) with at least one stimulator (14) operatively attached to one or more electrodes (16). In operation, the nasal dilator is applied and adhered to the nose. The energized electrodes coming from the stimulator enhances dilation. Various external nasal dilators and stimulators are well known in prior art and are not individually depicted.

Looking to FIG. 2, another embodiment of the instant invention (20) generally consisting of a combination of nasal dilator with stimulator, in which an internal nasal dilator (18) is generally under tension to extend out but on insertion into the nose, has spring energy to expand as is pictured in FIG. 2A to provide outward pushing pressure to the nasal wall. The instant invention (20) comprises an external nasal dilator (18) with at least one stimulator (14) operatively attached to one or more electrodes (16). In operation, the nasal dilator is inserted into the nose. The energized electrodes coming from the stimulator enhances dilation. Various internal nasal dilators and stimulators are well known in prior art and are not individually depicted.

Accordingly, it is seen that the present invention fully accomplishes its intended objects. While there has been disclosed and described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, it has been done by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation. It is realized that the stimulator of the present invention can assume additional forms, and it is intended to include within the scope of the appended claims all modifications and variations naturally occurring to those skilled in the art.

The following are examples of prior art which may be useful in the understanding of the utility of the instant invention:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,411 to Thorner entitled “INTERNAL NASAL DILATOR” is described and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,901 to lerulli entitled “NASAL DILATOR AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME” is described and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,523 to Brown entitled “INTERNAL NASAL DILATOR AND DELIVERY MECHANISM” is described and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,091 to Johnson entitled “DILATOR FOR ANATOMICAL OUTER WALL TISSUES WHICH IS ADHESIVELY MOUNTED” is described and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,179 to Gould entitled “RESILIENTLY RETRACTING EXTERNAL NASAL DILATOR” is described and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,265 to Cronk entitled “ADHESIVELY APPLIED EXTERNAL NASAL STRIPS AND DILATORS CONTAINING MEDICATIONS AND FRAGRANCES” is described and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,486 to Mitra entitled “THERMAL NASAL DILATOR AND METHOD FOR THE RELIEF OF . . . ” is described and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,605 to Rossen entitled “TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRIC NERVE STIMULATION (TENS) DEVICE” is described and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,622 to Gilbert entitled “DEVICE FOR SURFACE STIMULATION OF ACUPUNCTURE POINTS” is described and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

1. A nasal dilator comprising: an internal nasal dilator means or an external nasal dilator means for spreading a least one nostril or nasal wall for increasing nasal air flow wherein said nasal dilator means is operatively connected to at least one stimulator means for providing energy to at least one electrode means in contact with internal nasal tissues or external nasal tissues or acupuncture points for enhancing air passageway.
 2. A method of nasal dilation comprising: providing a means for internally or externally spreading at least one nostril or nasal wall for increasing nasal air flow; and providing a means to internally or externally stimulate the nerves, or muscles, or tissues or acupuncture points for enhancing nasal dilation.
 3. A nasal dilator comprising in combination: a spreading means having a portion for adheasing to at least one nostril to move at least one wall thereof outwardly for increasing the opening of the nasal passage; and at least one stimulator means operatively connected to at least one electrode means for stimulating nerves or muscles or tissues or acupuncture points for enhancing dilatation.
 4. A nasal dilator comprising in combination: a spreading means having a portion for insertion in at least one nostril to move at least one wall thereof outwardly for increasing the opening of the nasal passage; and retaining means operatively associated with said spreading means to maintain same in place for preventing said dilator from falling out of said nostril; and at least one stimulator means operatively connected to at least one electrode means for stimulating nerves or muscles or tissues or acupuncture points for enhancing dilatation.
 5. An apparatus of claim 1 or 3 or 4 or a method of claim 2 wherein said nasal dilator additionally comprises a medication means or a thermal means for further enhanced dilatation. 